4th generation coming 2015!

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Count me in with a like.

 

Tideland Prius recently said: "But the Prius? It's typically been used as a test bed for hybrid technology."

I acknowledge it may be semantics, but I am not sure "test bed" is the proper descriptive role for the Prius. I always thought of the Prius as a "fore-runner" or "innovator" for the HSI technology. Prius sells for more hybrids than any of Toyota's other brands; I think the other Toyota brands adapted the technology to their needs.

Said another way, I think the "testing" phase is long since past when it is introduced on the market. Isn't that our guess hy Toyota delayed the introduction of the G4?

 

<"Toyota has to be keenly aware that the competition has significantly "closed the gap," and the brand is loosing sales each day the G4 is delayed.">
Exactly what competition has closed the gap? Let me see, Ford, Honda, and Hyundai/Kia have all had legal action against them for false Hybrid mileage claims. 51 MPG City is still a tough mountain to surmount!

 

There is very little total car cost difference between 40 and 50 MPG. When you get to this point it's important that hybrid premium is either minimal or the hybrid offers something more (like AWD).

I think that is why we are seeing speculation for two Prius versions, one for the masses that will compete with Corolla and one higher priced version that will offer AWD, lithium and record MPG.

 

You are limiting your comment to only fuel efficiency. There are many other important considerations a buyer will make: comfort, convenience, ride, handling, performance, reliability, storage, interior size, electronics, fit and finish. Read the automobile magazines, every one of them are touting all of these virtues in the competition with fuel efficiency in the high 30's to 40 mpg, meanwhile, the Prius is not even mentioned. Many buyers rely on the magazines (or the Internet) to direct them towards a car. Few actually drive every offered model. No one is denying that the Prius remains the fuel efficiency leader, but the design is stale, and there has been no news worth achievements in comfort, convenience, ride, handling, or performance since 2010. A year ago I could not wait to purchase the G4. I have now reconsidered, and will make my 2010 last, and my next purchase will be one that gets high marks in the above mentioned categories.

For that reason, I feel that Toyota would have been better served to introduce a "all new" G4 that would address all those concerns, even if it retained the same hybrid system as the G3 (still the leader in the fuel efficiency) and get the buying public excited about the new G4, and the magazines featuring the Prius again. BTW, the public knows little about the "legal action" against the mentioned manufacturers.

 

A design like that can't be that wind resistant can it? The bumper area will be a good place to trap wind and would be worse coefficient drag than current gen...But good find, not the gen iv. Next!

 

Everybody makes choices and every car is a tradeoff. Personally I hate the yo-yo ride that oil companies put gas hogs through using the Supply and Demand equation. In 2011, I personally made that choice to get off that yo-yo ride. My Bimmer buddie always asks how I can drive a car that ugly and slow? My reply to him was I hate gas stations more that I hate getting speeding tickets! His response was exactly what you stated a car that has style and "the competition with fuel efficiency in the high 30's to 40 mpg"? My response was anything under 50 mpg is deal breaker for me.

<" BTW, the public knows little about the "legal action" against the mentioned manufacturers."> Of course the public knows a lot as CR and many other pubs have outed these manufacturers. What was the Manufacturer's response to the possible multiple Class Action Lawsuits? An SOC (Settle-out-court) with Rebate checks as hush money?

 

For me, the difference between 40 and 50 mpg is 0.08 gallons for my 16 mile commute. If I ride my bike to work one day a week, that difference is compensated for. That's why I want the G4 to improve in performance and style, rather than just saving me another tenth of a gallon on my commute.

 

This is why I'll be getting a plugin Actually not for my 16 mile commute though, but 180 miles and my reasoning is much more complex. I'm eyeing the next generations of plugins closely....

 

I like the idea of a plugin, but I currently live outside of Austin, TX, where 1) the PIP isn't sold and 2) an EV gets the equivalent of 48 mpg due to emissions from electricity generation (according to UCC state of charge report). If I lived in Austin proper I could pay extra for renewable electricity. Complicated indeed.

 

electric.

 

After 55mpg, just go Electric!
Compare Side-by-Side
When looking at compared fuel costs saved over 5 years, any improvement in PIP(increased ev range and hybrid mpg) will get it closer to BEV operating costs.

 

Handling and styling "come and go" in infinite variations, petroleum supplies are finite.

 

I suppose a 'sporty import' might be a Civic Si, Mazdaspeed 3 or GTI. Prius, Corolla and Civic EXs wouldn't seem to qualify as sporty.

Hmmm, I'll have to look up what's being said on '15 Camry. Seem to recall Motortrend didn't think it was much different.

 

Not even close. The company reputation is every bit as important as the car.

Why be modest ? Ask for all three.

I think it is something of an axiom that engineering can produce outlandish performance and results given enough money. The corollary is that the future of Prius will be more about cost reduction than percentage increase in MPG from generation to generation. Personally, I am looking forward to a 60 MPG/20 mile EV hybrid that costs $20k in today's money by 2025.

 

Just buy a VW EV, if you want sporty and fun to drive. Unfortunately, all the driving will be back to the dealer.